R. Kelly Music Sales Increase Over 500% Following Conviction: Report

BY Erika Marie 10.7K Views
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R. Kelly
The guilty verdict had fans scrambling and Kelly has found more success after his recent conviction.

Regardless of his recent conviction, R. Kelly's musical impact remains unshaken. We've been keeping you updated on the ongoing cases against R. Kelly, including his recent New York trial where the disgraced singer faced accusations related to sex crimes and sex trafficking. Kelly and his legal team have continuously denied those allegations, insisting that the singer is the latest celebrity victim who has been targeted by both accusers and the authorities.

Music fans have debated whether or not it is appropriate for people to listen to Kelly's catalog, and an overwhelming number of fans remain dedicated to the singer. According to reports, since Kelly was found guilty, his music sales have skyrocketed.

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YouTube recently shared that they made the decision to remove Kelly's two channels, although his catalog can still be accessed through YouTube Music. Since Kelly's conviction on September 27, the New York Post reports that his fans have been streaming his hits like crazy. Kelly's sales have increased by 517 percent, and when Rolling Stone compared this year to 2017, they reported: “In 2017, Kelly was averaging around 5.4 million on-demand audio streams per week, and this year he’s averaged around 6.4 million.”

R. Kelly will face sentencing next year, as he is slated to return to court in early May. His fans continue to take to social media to defend him against the allegations. He reportedly faces charges and trials in other states.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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